Squid Game Could Be Removed From Netflix In One Country

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Summary

  • Squid Game Season 2 is a huge success but faces backlash over the portrayal of the Vietnam War.
  • Vietnamese audience expresses disappointment and calls on others to boycott the series.
  • Depicting historical events in TV shows highlights the intersection of creativity, accuracy, and sensitivity.

In one Asian country, there have been numerous complaints about the popular series, Squid Game. Concerns have arisen that the show might get taken down from Netflix within this particular nation.

Overjoyed to finally witness the return of Squid Game Season 2 on the day after Christmas, I was not alone as thousands of eager fans flocked to watch this highly anticipated series. For weeks, it held the top spot on Netflix, captivating audiences worldwide. Yet, despite its initial success, the Rotten Tomatoes score didn’t quite match that of Season 1, and it was swiftly dethroned by WWE Monday Night RAW as the most-watched TV show in the US. In addition to these external factors, there are also concerns about how the Korean survival thriller will be received in its neighboring country.

Based on reports from a Vietnamese news source Lao Dong, and as confirmed by The Korea Times, the Vietnamese Cinema Department is examining “Squid Game” Season 2 for possible rule-breaking incidents. If found in violation of regulations, the department has stated they will address the issue according to law. This could potentially lead to “Squid Game” being taken off Netflix Vietnam. The scrutiny follows criticism on social media, with many Vietnamese viewers expressing dissatisfaction over a specific scene in Season 2 and even advocating for boycotting the series due to its perceived misrepresentation of their country’s history.

In episode 5, a significant event unfolded following Gi-hun’s team winning the second game, a six-legged pentathlon, where they each played five mini-games. These included ddakji, flying stone, gong-gi, spinning top, and jegi. After their triumph, the team members – Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), Oh Young-il (Lee Byung-hun), Dae-ho (Kang Ha-neul), Jung-bae (Lee Seo-hwan) and Jun-hee (Jo Yuri) – acknowledged each other’s skills. During their discussion, Jung-bae complimented Dae-ho as a “gong-gi machine.” Dae-ho shared that his proficiency in gong-gi stemmed from playing it with his four sisters growing up. When questioned about why his mother sent him to the Marines, despite being an only son, Dae-ho revealed it was his father’s plan to toughen him up. “My father wanted me to become a real man,” he stated, “so he sent me to the Marines. My father, a Vietnam War veteran.” Jung-bae admired Dae-ho’s father as an honorable man. However, this exchange sparked controversy among many Vietnamese who felt it glorified South Korean soldiers during the Vietnam War. One comment read, “It’s inappropriate to depict Korean veterans of the Vietnam War as honorable figures.” Another stated, “South Korea calls for apologies and reparations from Japan for colonial rule but celebrates its military involvement in Vietnam.

The debate surrounding dialogues about the Vietnam War in media can be expected given its sensitive nature for numerous individuals. Yet, these discussions could also be viewed as fictional narratives, allowing for creative interpretation. However, incorporating real-life events like the Vietnam War into a film or series creates a complex situation where artistic liberty, historical authenticity, and cultural sensitivity collide. From an artistic angle, such dialogues might be seen as creative decisions rather than factual accounts. But from a cultural viewpoint, using historical references could come across as insensitive or inappropriate to those deeply impacted by these events, leading to legitimate critiques. Ultimately, determining the right approach is tricky, so it’s often best to leave such decisions to experts like the Vietnam Cinema Department. By the way, fans eagerly await the release of Squid Game Season 3 this year, as it promises to address outstanding questions from previous seasons.

Squid Game Season 2 streams on Netflix.

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2025-01-09 19:15